Tyler Butterfield will be taking no prisoners when he attempts to win a third consecutive Tokio Millennium Re Sprint Triathlon title at Albuoy’s Point on Sunday.

The two-time Olympian is using the event as a warm-up for the ITU World Cup in Mexico on June 15, and has vowed to push the pedal to the floor as he

steps up preparations for a return to the professional circuit.

“The Tokio Millenium Re Triathlon is definitely a great warm-up for the following weekend’s World Cup in Mexico,” Butterfield said. “It is half the distance, which makes it a great speed session for the World Cup to follow.

“I have crammed in a hard training week for the ITU World Cup. But the Tokio Millenium Re Triathlon will be the end of that training block, and my last session I can get in before the Mexico race.

“So, I am excited to race and support the local events, especially Tokio Millenium Re as they sponsor me to challenge myself, and represent Bermuda around the world.”

Last month Butterfield stormed to a comfortable victory in the Catlin Bermuda National Triathlon Championships, and then retained his Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon Derby crown.

Butterfield said that winning a third straight Tokio Millennium Re Sprint Triathlon title would be special.

“It is always nice to walk away with a win,” he said. “But really pushing yourself is the ultimate goal on Sunday, and to enjoy it, of course.

“It really is a great event and I want to thank Tokio Millenium Re for giving so much back to the Bermuda community. They put on many great events, and help many charities on the Island.

“I think it is a good field and the numbers are strong. Triathlon is a growing sport, and it is great to see here in Bermuda it is thriving.”

Meanwhile, back to defend her women’s crown is veteran triathlete Karen Smith, who is up for the challenge.

“I am feeling pretty good about this race,” she said. “I raced the national championships a couple of weeks ago without a lot of preparation for that race, but I have had a few more weeks to do a bit more training.

“I have been back running and cycling now, and I am feeling strong, and hopefully I will have a good race on Sunday. I am hoping to start off with a strong swim, try to hold on to the bike and try and make sure I do not leave anything in the tank for the run.”

This weekend’s triathlon features five race categories: Senior Individual, Senior Team, Try-a-Tri, Senior School Challenge and the Junior Duathlon. The Sprint Triathlon involves a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike and a 5km run. The Try-a-Tri, designed for those new to the sport, is a 200-metre swim, 10km bike ride, and a 2km run.

Children aged from 7 to 10 can compete in a duathlon comprised of a 1km run, 4km bike and another 1km run. Juniors aged from 11 to 14 will compete over a longer distance — 2km run, 8km bike and 2km run.

The Senior School challenge is competed in school teams. For the duathlon, there is a team of two — one person runs 2km, the second person bikes 8km and the runner completes another 2k to finish. The triathlon teams consist of three members — one person swims 200 metres, one cycles 10km and one runs 2km.

Sunday’s event begins at 8am with the children’s duathlon followed by the Try-a-Tri race at 8.45am and the junior advanced, senior individual and team events at 9.45am.